Freelance Writing Clips

Monday, April 27, 2009

DIY Cork Board

I know I've shared this project before, but I thought I'd include some slightly more detailed instructions. It's so simple that whenever I've saved enough corks, I make one. I've got seven or eight now (stashed in the storage unit, sadly) and someday I'm going to mount them all to make a giant wall 'o corks in my studio... (maybe layered, the way they hang art at Anthropologie, so it has dimension too?)

You'll need large collection of corks, a bulletin board and your trusty hot glue gun. Wonderful long suffering E uses a serrated knife to cut these in half so I only need half as many. Be warned- it's a recipe for sliced fingers. (Sorry babe! You're the best!) A counter top vice would probably be useful. You can also find lots on e-bay if you're impatient!

I recommend laying out your pattern before gluing it down. I like to do a parquet pattern to add interest and make them look a bit tidier. We drink loads of champagne, and when I use those strangely shaped corks, I lay them end to end, but make sure they are the same direction in the parquet pattern. Trust me, it looks much tidier.

After you have a design worked out, carefully hot glue each cork to the board. (I like to use an actual cork bulletin board so any gaps are less noticeable.) You will go through quite a few hot glue sticks, so make sure you have plenty on hand.

Here's the finished product in my office with my Charlie Harper prints! If you make your own, make sure to come back and show it off! I'd love to see how yours turns out! Happy crafting y'all!

I'm not crafty at all, not whatsoever, I have no fine motor skills... but man, I wish I did! I'd make this cork board first thing! I'm passing it along to my crafty friend, though. Maybe I'll peer-pressure her into making one for me :)

Gotta say. I really like this. reminds me of the projects I used to do in the After School Care program i did with kids. I definitely plan to try and do one of these...just need to find some cork. Hard to do when you hardly drink;)

If you can't wait to drink enough wine for this project, we do sell recycled wine corks (used corks) at our online store www.corkstore.com. Click on "Arts, Crafts, Hobbies" and you'll see them listed. They're just a few cents each and you're helping keep discarded cork out of the landfill by reusing them!

Little Ole Me?

I am an artist & writer. My husband and I enjoy a nomadic life that has led us from Chicago through Africa, Europe, and China. After a three year vacation on the Big Island of Hawaii, we've come back to the wholesome Midwest to put down roots.